Epidural granulocytic sarcoma in acute myeloid leukemia with 8;21 translocation.

Three patients with M2 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in whom cord compression developed due to epidural granulocytic sarcoma are reported and compared with six similar patients described previously. These three cases had 8;21 translocation, t (8;21), in the marrow karyotype and also in the karyotype of granulocytic sarcoma tissue obtained from two of the cases. Treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be effective, but an emergency laminectomy should be performed if there is rapid neurologic progression.